ITV

Tag: podcasters

  • Rode and Vortex team up to redefine remote audio

    Rode and Vortex team up to redefine remote audio

    AMSTERDAM: Audio specialist Rode and British codec maker Vortex Communications have collaborated in a technology partnership that could change the way creators work remotely.

    The collaboration integrates Vortex’s proprietary CallMe codec directly into Rode’s flagship production consoles — the RodeCaster Pro II and its smaller sibling, the RodeCaster Duo. The result is seamless, ultra-low-latency connectivity over WiFi or Ethernet, allowing creators to link up in real time without leaning on third-party software, external hardware or complex setup.

    According to Vortex, CallMe’s secure SIP IP audio connectivity effectively erases geographic boundaries. Users can connect console-to-console anywhere in the world or patch in a guest through a web browser, with a simple invite dispatched via email or QR code. The goal: to deliver clean, broadcast-quality sound with virtually no delay — something that broadcasters, podcasters, internet radio producers and voice-over professionals have long demanded.

    For Rode the integration marks a strategic leap. The company has pitched the RodeCaster range as all-in-one studios for the new wave of independent content makers, but until now remote contribution has been the Achilles heel of many setups. By embedding CallMe at firmware level, Rode is betting it can lure professionals who want plug-and-play reliability without the baggage of expensive ISDN lines, flaky conferencing apps or heavy post-production clean-up.

    The service rolls out via a free firmware update branded Rode CallMe Lite, offering one remote contributor, up to 10 hours of RodeCaster-to-RodeCaster audio per month and five hours of web-to-console calls. Power users can graduate to paid CallMe and CallMe Pro tiers, unlocking multiple guests and extended call time.

    Industry observers say the deal underscores a broader trend: pro-grade broadcast technology is increasingly being miniaturised, simplified and pushed into the hands of independent creators. Just as video conferencing apps democratised face-to-face meetings, Rode and Vortex are betting audio production can leap the same gap — with the quality standards of live radio and network television intact.

    Vortex is exhibiting at stand number 8.F60  during IBC which is to be held from 12-15 September at Rai in Amsterdam.

  • BBC backs down on podcast ads, AudioUK expresses concern

    BBC backs down on podcast ads, AudioUK expresses concern

    MUMBAI: The BBC has made  a U-turn on plans to plaster ads around its licence fee-funded podcasts, after a right old public controversy. The broadcaster’s annual plan for 2025-26 confirmed that it  had  ruled out the idea, following a barrage of feedback.

    “We have listened to feedback and having considered the options carefully, we have decided to rule out placing adverts around BBC licence-fee funded programmes on third party podcast platforms in the UK,” the BBC stated, effectively slamming the door on the ad plans.

    AudioUK, the trade body representing independent podcast and audio producers, welcomed the decision, but they’re still keeping a beady eye on BBC Studios’ commercial activities. They’re worried that the BBC’s commercial arm, with its “powerful” presence, could disrupt the fledgling UK podcast market.

    “We remain concerned about the BBC’s entry into the UK podcast advertising market through content produced by the BBC Studios,” AudioUK said in a statement. “The potential disruption caused by such a large player entering the space without full consideration of its impact on these businesses is troubling.”

    AudioUK CEO Chloe Straw called for “greater engagement” from BBC Studios, urging it to “support, rather than disrupt” the developing podcast ecosystem. She’s keen to see the Beeb join the “vibrant, collaborative space” that independent producers have built.

    “Whilst the UK podcasting industry is thriving and growing rapidly, it remains relatively young and has been largely built and driven by the creativity, innovation and investment of over 200 SMEs, many of them regional and diverse,” Straw said.

    AudioUK is also keen to see “greater transparency and research” from the BBC on how it intends to grow the market, alongside the many other organisations and businesses already working to attract advertising investment.

  • YouTube launched a new content system tools for Indian creators

    YouTube launched a new content system tools for Indian creators

    Mumbai: YouTube announced good news for podcasters and content creators in India. YouTube launches some new features for the customisation of content creation. YouTube made a new user-friendly UI with digital infrastructure to provide a new-age customer experience.

    For that matter, YouTube rolled out new features that inculcate attractive features like stories, opinions, and insights with podcast enthusiasts. Creators can easily roll out content through YouTube Studios and YouTube Music. It will allow users to have direct engagement with podcasters and consume content at per convenience. The podcast will be available on YouTube Music.

    Podcasters also get benefits out of ad revenue by podcasting monetisation. It will also be available for on-demand, offline, and background listening; this will benefit podcasters through subscription plans.Google plans to close the Google podcast in April 2024.

    YouTube also provides a platform to collaborate with sponsored content. Despite a plan to close Google Podcast, Google will build a music and podcast ecosystem with one single app.

    Google-backed YouTube has been running successfully in India for many years and is contributing to the economy significantly.As per Oxford Economics, YouTube said that more than 7 lakh creators and partners collaborated with them.

    YouTube additionally introduced the feature ‘ Podcast Shelves’ on YouTube music for better navigation access.

     

  • Music licensing platform Hoopr.ai launches ‘#HarGharCreator’ campaign

    Music licensing platform Hoopr.ai launches ‘#HarGharCreator’ campaign

    Mumbai: Hoopr.ai is looking to solve a billion-dollar problem faced by content creators and businesses every day, like discovering and licencing the right music for their videos. India’s 80 million+ creator community comprises vloggers, podcasters, gamers, filmmakers, live-streamers, and influencers creating audio-visual content on a variety of topics. With over 25,000 tracks and sound effects, Hoopr.ai is not only enabling these creators to get specific music for their needs, but also helping them avoid copyright strikes and legal issues.

    Furthermore, what’s also changing is the mindset with regard to content creation, with more people embracing it as a career choice. And that is exactly what the ad captures. In the ad, a young college student can be seen telling his strict father that he doesn’t want to be an engineer but rather a content creator. The reaction of the father makes the ad a must-watch for all content creators and their families.

    Hoopr.ai co-founder & CEO Gaurav Dagaonkar said, “We are excited to roll out the “#HarGharCreator” campaign as part of the Hoopr platform launch. A creator is now emerging in nearly every home across India, and we want to help them find phenomenal Indian music for their videos. Apart from individual creators, the music on Hoopr is also being used by brands, enterprises, and OTT platforms, as it is cleared for use and free from any copyright strikes or takedowns.”

    Hoopr.ai secured a seed funding of $1.5 million in December 2021 from investors such as Venture Catalysts, 9Unicorns, Inflection Point Ventures, Ashneer Grover, Sahil Barua (Delhivery), Anshoo Sharma (Magicpin), etc., and has since grown strongly. The company has built India’s first and biggest music licencing marketplace that hosts thousands of original music tracks in Hindi, English, Punjabi, and other regional languages. The library boasts tracks by popular artistes such as Monali Thakur, Ash King, and Nikhil D’souza, along with numerous regional artistes. Within a few weeks of going live, Hoopr.ai has got over 15,000+ creators using the platform, including creators such as Ashish Vidyarthi, Tanya Khanijow, and City Ka Theka.

    Speaking at the campaign launch, Hoopr.ai co-founder & CMO Meghna Mittal said, “The creator economy is primed more than ever to grow, and we’re excited to support creators across India. There’s also increased awareness about the need for sourcing licenced music since awareness of issues such as copyrights has increased. Apart from helping creators, Hoopr will also enable music creators to unlock a new source of revenue for their music.”

    The creator economy, considering the pace at which it is growing, is set to become a major contributor to the Indian economy. At this point, around six lakh people make a living directly through monetary gains associated with the creator ecosystem, and this will continue to rise. The creator economy rose from $1.7 billion in 2016 to $6.5 billion in 2019 and to $9.7 billion in 2020. This growth has seen a continuous increase even during Covid, with many people becoming full-time creators across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other short video apps.

    With the “#HarGharCreator” campaign, Hoopr.ai aims to change the way creators are perceived. The company aims to build more tools that help creators make better content while at the same time enabling musicians to monetise their music better.